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- Calliope Laurelleaf – Halfling Bard
- Ellyjobell – Gnome Ranger
- Phalen – High Elf Cleric
- Talerien – Wood Elf Ranger (Absent This Session)
- Trogdorr – Dragonborn Barbarian (Absent This Session)
- Twirpo – Hill Dwarf Wizard
- Alaric Lysane – Human Fighter
The party successfully escorts the caravan to its first major stop, which is the city of Ridgecrest. Ridgecrest is a major city structure – and the largest known on the new continent. Split into three divisions – High Ridge, Mid Ridge and Low Ridge – each represents a society class (High Ridge for the Rich, Mid Ridge for the Middle Class, and Low Ridge, being the slums). Ridgecrest is build on a hill so that High Ridge is the highest point, allowing all the waste to literally roll down hill, typically through pipes and sewer systems.
The party moves about High Ridge, looking for supplies; with Elle meeting Argar Fireaxe – a dwarf weapon smith – who sells her two magical daggers at a very discounted price. Calliope meets Thyr Moonglade – a high elf – at his store while looking for painting supplies, and is drawn to him, as he is an artist himself (having been painting a waterfall at the time Calliope met him). Alaric went to the tavern with Trogdorr and met a creature behind the bar, that despite all of his travels – he’d never seen before – a Tortle – a humanoid turtle like creature that stood over six feet tall – and spoke extremely slow. Elle also stopped at Furryfoot’s Costumes and picked up a disguise kit (with 5 uses). She used one use on herself to imitate the people of High Ridge, and doing an amazing job (rolled a Natural 20 which increased her Charisma to 18, while disguised – to people of High Ridge). Her stunning beauty and the way she carried herself, allowed her to convince Marcus to allow her to bring her mastiff (named Bubbles) who was wearing a (fake) rhinestone necklace into the party.
The party eventually meets Marcus Mapplestone – a human who insists that they all attend his party – as a means of thanking him for helping escort the caravan and bringing to him a relic that was aboard the caravan. Marcus has purple hair (dyed, and not natural) and wears a monocle which he constantly adjusts. All of his gestures and speech are clearly over the top. He assures them that the party will have free drinks, free food, some exotic things, and… other interesting things. He does tell the party, for the safety of everyone – no armor and no weapons can be brought to the party. The Captain of the Caravan (Darathin Moonglade) tells the party that Marcus has been wanted for illegal activities for a long time; however, many people in High Ridge are in his pocket and never turn against him. So he recommends going to the party and helping find clues that could be used against Marcus; and if need be, try to smuggle small weapons in, such as daggers. Trogdorr had no interest in “fancy parties” as a barbarian and returned to the tavern, while Talerien also had no interest in the party – or being inside such a large town – and opted to go outside of Ridgecrest’s walls and hang out in the nearby woods.
Everyone manages to smuggle in a dagger, except Calliope who is caught and explains that she had forgotten it was there. At the party, they meet a laundry list of interesting individuals:
| Name | Race | M/F | Appearance | Traits |
| Brekkar Farrunner | Human | M | Blond hair, blue eyes, scar over right eye | Sings and hums frequently: has a romantic beef with Salana |
| Salana Brightblade | Human | F | Brown hair, green eyes, long single pony tail | Speaks a number of languages: Former lover of Brekkar |
| Shalla Serpentbane | Human | F | Brown hair, green eyes, serpent tattoo on arm | Draws beautifully: Business partner with Thyr |
| Vauru Sunborn | Aasimar | M | Blond hair, blue eyes, colorless pupils | Sings beautifully: Envious of Ella |
| Trella Nightbreaker | Aasimar | F | Blond hair, green eyes, nicely dressed | Drinks anyone under the table: Armor merchant |
| Xarmarsh Silvercrown | Dragonborn | M | Silver Skin, Yellow Eyes, Blind in right eye | Expert dart thrower: Former romance of Baldaara |
| Baldaara Faircircle | Dragonborn | F | Bronze skin, yellow eyes, fashionable | Skilled actor: Former lover of Xarmarsh |
| Argar Fireaxe | Dwarf | M | Red hair, green eyes, trimmed beard | Expert weapon maker |
| Thelmus Ironstone | Dwarf | M | Red hair, blue eyes, tends to slur words | Expert armor maker: Has beef with Trella who has cheated him |
| Morrena Forgemaker | Dwarf | F | Red hair, green eyes, iron bracelets | Whispery voice: Beef with Zar (thinks she’s mocking her) |
| Thorkuna Hammerside | Dwarf | F | Brown eyes, green eyes, hammer necklace | Figets with necklakce repeatedly |
| Ella Moonglade | High Elf | F | Blond hair, green eyes, nicely dressed | Voice sounds like music: Suspicious of Torin’s actions |
| Thyr Moonglade | High Elf | M | Purple hair, green eyes, nicely dressed | Paints beautifully: Business partner of Shalla, envious of Ella |
| Mars Fallenstar | High Elf | M | Green hair, green eyes, smiles constantly | Stares off in the distance: Generally untrusting of everyone |
| Gorfel Boomstick | Gnome | M | White hair, blue eyes, raggy clothes | Nose twitches frequently: Has a romantic interest in Daisy |
| Torin Stonepassage | Half Elf | M | Blond hair, blue eyes, hair in three braids | Paces frequently: Very jumpy at everything; talks to himself |
| Morobunce Hillshire | Halfling | M | Brown hair, brown eyes, curious | Sings (but horribly): Envious of Vauru and Ella |
| Daisy Hillshire | Halfling | F | Black hair, brown eyes, curious | Extremely social: Suspicious of everyone (which is why she’s social) |
| Talrys Hopebringer | Tiefling | M | Black hair, green eyes (cat pupils) | Stoic: Suspects that Torin is up to something |
| Ump’rah Greenshell | Tortle | M | Green skin, yellow eyes | Talks very slowly |
| Zar Wavenreaker | Triton | F | Blond hair, blue skin, blue eyes | Speaks softly |
| Ebonhawk Slingblade | Human | M | Brown Hair, Brown eyes, arrogant | Speaks of his heroic deads, repeatedly; dislikes Talrys |
| Nerriway Stonecutter | Gnome | F | Blond hair, blue eyes, shamrock necklace | “Everything is beautiful”, overly opptimistic |
| Bloom Furryfoot | Gnome | F | Black hair, black eyes, dressed in leathers | Suspicious of Ebonhawk |
| Rose Flamestrike | Gnome | F | Blond Hair, blue eyes, Red & Black mage robes | Believes Bloom stole an heirloom of hers |
| Forge Ironbeard | Dwarf | M | Brown hair, brown eyes, braided beard | Nice clothes; wears the symbol of his god on his neck |
| Galen Silverglade | Half Elf | M | Brown Hair, Hazel Eyes, thin beard | Wears all green, speaks of his deeds when prompted |
| Thurg | Human | M | Brown Hair, brown eyes, North Man | Wears rags, ill spoken, known to be a bit of a hero |
| Erith Banetricker | Elf | F | Blond hair, one blue, one green eye | Speaks eloquently: dislikes humans in general |
| Reena Foxhair | Human | F | Red hair, green eyes, orange robes | Noticable, cunning smile: not trusting of Ebonhawk |
During dinner, all of the employees come out in leather clad (S&M) type outfits and serves the guests “whatever they need” including, but not limited to, food.
In an attempt to gather information on Marcus, the party split up an began talking to a number of the patrons at the party. Seeing Thyr Moonglade at the party, Calliope approached him and explained how happy she was to see him at the party. Using her charisma, which she has ample amounts of, she spoke to Thyr about Marcus and some of the things she had heard, but kept it very vague (as to ensure that she was not looking to capture Marcus or that she was interested). Drawn to Calliope – both because of her natural beauty and ability to sing and write – the artist in Thyr felt compelled to speak to her. He pulled her aside and explained that what she’s heard is true, and that there were many at the party that were a part of the trades that Marcus was involved in. He also knew that Marcus was into “acquiring” items from various places – even going as far as stealing sacred documents “just to have them.” He led Calliope to the library where he showed her rows of ancient texts – one row of books, twelve volumes in all – caught Calliope’s attention. The spines had a language she’d never seen before. Seducing Thyr as a distraction (all the while enjoying herself, since Thyr was a very attractive High Elf), she managed to pocket two of the books without him noticing. When they were done, both left the library as if nothing had happened; but he did whisper, “Ella must not learn what we have done tonight…” Indicating his wife, who stood not far off, looking around for him.
Shortly after, things at the party took a twist…
Marcus called everyone into the ballroom and displayed a cat-like humanoid creature he called a Tabaxi – something none of the party had seen – and no one at the party recognized. Marcus immediately explained that the female Tabaxi was up for sale, and that he was selling her as a slave. The bids were pouring in immediately, though not everyone participated; some where clearly horrified by the idea of the slave trade, but tolerated it because they wanted to remain a part of the “in” crowd.
Another twist happened, which interrupted the slave purchase… a scream from the dining room which they had all been in. Twirpo and a few others ran into the dining room to see a dead body on the table. The Aasimir, Trella Nightbreaker lie murdered. Twirpo attempted to steal the dagger to have a weapon to defend herself, but in her haste dropped it (critical fail roll). This caught the attention of several of the party-goers who were now convinced that she was trying to hide the murder weapon! The party turned on her to arrest her, but Twirpo swore she was innocent. One of the party patrons, Torin Stonepassage placed his hand on her forehead and verified by glimpsing 30 minutes into the past that she had not been the one who had done it, but the tall human, Northman, Thurg was not convinced.
During the distraction, Elle attempted to pick the locks that restrained the Tabaxi but could not. She said she would return to free her.
Elle examined the dagger and noticed something unusual; blue blood on the hilt. That was not the Aasimir’s blood; but that would be the blood of the Triton, Zar Wavenreaker. They glanced around and Zar was not to be found in the dining room or the ball room. The party split up – and much to their horror found him dead in the Observatory.
Marcus arrived and screamed that he was going to be ruined; he requested that the bodies be moved out to the courtyard. Argar, Thelmus and Morrenna all volunteered to move the bodies.
They looked around, and they found dwarf print tracks – which confirmed to Thurg that it was Twirpo who had done it. Many of the people at the party agreed – things seemed to be pointing to her. The party searched for clues, and next found the body of Gorfel Boomstick slain in the Study, a pen shoved through their throat. Here there was something unusual – there was no signs of a struggle, as if Gorfel may have known his attacker.
Twirpo used her Detect Magic as a Ritual Spell – and noticed that a glass sphere on the shelf held up by a wooden hand radiated illusionary magic. No one in the party felt safe picking it up, so they decided they would come back to it.
That Suspicion among the party was that Argar Fireaxe, Thelmus Ironstone, and Morrenna Forgemaker might be involved in the killing. But that would quickly change, when the next body found was Morrenna Forgemaker, found dead with a broken pool stick shoved through her chest. Things were getting serious! Elle began having Bubbles sniff around and pick up scents, but due to all the food, people, and activity picking up the scent proved to be too difficult for Bubbles.
It wasn’t long before another scream – followed by Elle shouting for Bubbles – rang through the mansion. The next body found was that of Ebonhawk Slingblade, who was attacked from behind by one of the hippogriff head trophies, with the antlers running through his back and pinning him to the wall. Elle sent Bubbles to check for the scent again, since they had a new body, and Bubbles wandered around and eventually stopped at Galen Silverglade. Elle convinced the half elf to allow her to search him and to remove his boots and check for a weapon. Nothing was found. Elle asked Marcus about how this could be happening – and he explained he was not sure – but it could not be his guests – as they’re all searched.
Phalen used one of her magical spells called Sphere of Truth to determine who might be lying; and Bloom Furryfoot, who admittedly had a problem with Ebonhawk admitted she saw Twirpo commit the crime. Phalen noted that as far as she could tell, Bloom was telling the truth. This encouraged Thurg, and the party patrons to once again consider the fact that it was indeed Twirpo who had done it. During this time, Elle returned to the ball room since no one was in there, and was able to free the Tabaxi and applied a mediocre disguise to the Tabaxi.
The party continued to look for clues – and found yet another dead body, when Calliope found the body of Forge Ironbeard crammed into the fridge. Inspecting the kitchen revealed if the attack had happened there, there was no evidence of it – indicating that perhaps Forge knew his attacker. Marcus arrived screaming that all these murders needed to stop – and now his Tabaxi was gone (not recognizing that the female Tabaxi was standing in the room with him).
The party began to suspect that someone was using illusions to commit the murders. Elle and Bubbles ventured outside where they found the body of Reena Foxhair found strangled. That’s when she heard the nearby door close suddenly and shouted, “Bubbles! The game is afoot!” – she gave chase and found the door to be locked. She quickly picked the lock and opened the door and sent Bubbles to attack the person fleeing. Bubbles immediately caught up and pounced (Natural 20), and held down the would be person fleeing the scene of the crime. It was Galen Silverglade. Elle questioned him hard, asking why he was running – and he explained he had just found the body of Reena and freaked out. When Elle asked why he locked the door behind him, he explained because he thought Elle was going to murder him – since she was friends with Twirpo (who everyone believed to be the murderer). Returning to the study to look for further clues – they noticed that the sphere that Twirpo had detected as magical – was now gone!
While this was happening, Calliope and Alaric found yet another body – that of Erith Banetricker – in the stables. They searched the Conservatory and found signs of a struggle, but older. Searching around, they found a body that had showed signs of decomposing – that of one of the workers, a human named Marsheen. It donned on Calliope and Alaric that Marcus had specifically said – all of his guests were checked, but none of his employees were. Someone had done something to impersonate the employee to gain access to Marcus’ estate.
Calliope and Alaric joined the others in the dining room, where they gathered all of the guests (Elle ensured that was the case, having sent Bubbles to find anyone who was still alive). Twirpo did Detect Magic again and found a glow in Galen Silverglade’s pants – Elle quickly searched him and discovered the sphere that had been in the study that had gone missing! Elle decided – without a way to know what it might do and risk what it could do (having had a bad experience with magic, the last adventure) – threw the sphere against the wall with all of her might – causing it to explode – the damage hurting her (the most) as well as the others. Phalen used her last second level spell to do another Sphere of Truth to determine what was going on – just as Marcus entered the room – horrified that his magical relic was now destroyed! He explained that the relic they had just destroyed allowed someone to peer through it and see a person’s true form!
The party learns that Galen Silverglade is not who he claims; but that he is a doppleganger. And that he has an accomplice – Mars Fallenstar – who turns out – is also not who he appears – but another doppleganger. They both explain that they infiltrated Marcus’ estate because they had heard (through his constant bragging) that he had secured a relic that allowed him to peer through and see someone’s true form and that it was on the way to Ridgecrest. The doppleganger who was now using Galen’s form had found and murdered Marsheen, the employee and took his form. Because he was not sure when the relic would arrive – he was frequently checking the Study where it would be stored – behavior that Marcus admitted he noticed and thought was unusual. During the party, they kept trying to get to the Study to take it – as employees – but were frequently seen by other guests. The Aasimir began to suspect something, because he noticed their behavior – and so he was the first one murdered. Zar was murdered as the doppleganger’s took Trella’s form – and Zar knew that the Aasimir had been murdered not long ago, so they killed him to keep the disguise. Once suspicion feel on Twirpo – both dopplegangers took on Twirpo’s form and were moving throughout the house to arise suspicion on her and divert attention. Gorfel was killed in the study, because he had caught one of the dopplegangers (“Galen”) pocketing the sphere. “Mars” who was in Zar’s form got into an unintentional fight with Morrenna, who a little drunk, decided to confront him (as they never got along). “Mars” in Zar’s form was forced to kill her. “Galen” murdered Ebonhawk, while his back was turned, because he boasted of killing dopplegangers in the past. Forge, they admitted was the first one killed. “Mars” took Forge’s form first, initially – pretending to be Forge during the dinner party (so Forge never even made it to the dinner party or ball room; his body was simply found later, and preserved due to the coolness of the fridge). Reena had gone to the Gazebo to meet Erith (who, claimed to hate humans; but even as a female was attracted to Reena). Reena was killed as “Galen” was trying to escape. His escape was further ruined by Elle coming out to the Gazebo. Erith was killed at the same time, but “Mars” had dragged her body to the stales and was going to go drag Reena’s body until the commotion with Elle happened. So “Mars” remained hidden and followed Elle and “Galen” back inside the house, in case he needed to kill Elle; but cursed that “Galen” had gotten himself captured.
With all of this now revealed; the party turned to Marcus to say that they were going to arrest him for illegal trades, trafficking, smuggling, and an assortment of other crimes. Marcus laughs – and changes his form – with horns appearing on his head, eyes flash red, wings sprout from his shoulder, and a forked tail appears on his reddish body – as it becomes clear that Marcus is a Incubus. The party realize they are now in for a big fight – without their armor and without their normal weapons. The party attacks – assisted by both Felinea (who is furious at “Marcus” for what he did to her and her people), and Talyris the Paladin – Felinea has her claws, and Talyris is reduced to punching. “Marcus” as an Incubus proves resistant to non magical weapons as well as specific magical attacks! He does manage to grab Phalen (Natural 20), and pulls her close to kiss her (and siphon her soul). Alaric in a panic attempts to free her, but fumbles (Natural 1) and stabs Phalen. It’s just then that the cursed blade that goes with the gauntlet – appeared strapped to her back (sensing she was in danger). Fearful of using it (since her foe was evil – it’s forced her magic to turn against her – as it did with the Den Mother Gnoll previously). She decided to stick with magic! While Twirpo, Calliope and Phalen struck “Marcus” with magic (some of which was effective; some of which he seemed resistant to), Alaric and Elle used their weapons (along with Felinea and her claws, and Talrys with his fists) – it was Alaric who finally delivered the killing blow.
The party went to the library and recovered the rest of the volumes of books that Calliope had taken – and discovered that the languages were Abyssal and Celestial – and came from the Broken Lands. They also discovered a book that was out of place – and upon pulling on it – heard a noise elsewhere in the house. Between the ballroom and the dining room was a hidden chamber that was now revealed – and in it a chest with gold. However, Elle spotted a trap – and Twirpo confirmed it was a magical trap that had Necrotic damage. After some struggles of how to spring the trap, Alaric told Phalen to get ready to save him and sprung the trap – which reduced him down below his health. He succeeded on his Death Save and Phalen was then able to cast spare the dying – giving the party a total of 5,000 gold which they also split between Talyris and Felinea, since they had helped in the fight against “Marcus.”
Fun Fact:
- The “Sphere of Seeing” appeared in a previous adventure in the first campaign run in this world…
- Those adventures happened 100 years (roughly) before this current campaign. The Sphere of Seeing was lost at sea (back then, shortly after). “Marcus” found out someone had found it and wanted it for himself (being another relic to add to his collection).